FAMILY
TIES
By JustAkiko
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, but the story is all mine.
Setting: At the end of the anime… and the almost end of the manga.
Notes: This fic is mostly canon, focusing more on the manga than the anime. HOWEVER, I wrote this BEFORE I saw the first or second movie, so they have no relevance to this story. Hence the Li family etc are entirely characterised from my imagination.
Ok guys, it's all coming to a head! The battle ends now... but on who's side?
Thanks to all who reviewed, they really make me smile and push me to get this story to its conclusion. Please keep pressing that REVIEW button and let me know what you think; good, bad, I can take it:o)
Enjoy the chapter... and remember finger's crossed for Sakura!
Ja
Chapter 11
Showdown
The Arena looked as it always had, swirling ceiling and empty space, decorated only by the stone-like figures of the Li Council. Walking confidently across the dusty floor, Sakura felt Tomoyo break off to her usual spot in the stands with a quick squeeze of her hand. Alone now, she felt her confidence rise instead of falter. She knew this game, the routine was familiar and she had conquered it before. Now she would do it again and then she'd never have to return.
Looking towards the Council she spotted the imposing form of Yelan, as cold and statuesque as ever, then the bright orange heads of the four Li sisters. Sakura did a double take as she counted them again…four? Looking to the faces her heart almost stopped when she recognised her previous opponent, Li Sheifa, the girl she thought she'd killed, sitting comfortably among her siblings; face hard and smug.
So she hadn't lost control after all! The girl was here, whole and looking in better health than Sakura, who still had the scratches from her last victory. A relieved smile crept across her lips, boosting her confidence ever higher and, with the good news dancing in her chest, she searched for the face to share it with.
But he wasn't there. No amber eyes looked back at her from the stands under a ragged rain of hair. His smile wasn't waiting to forgive and forget. Syaoran hadn't come to watch her triumph one final time.
The joy of moments before deflated like a festival balloon and Sakura's smile slipped from her lips. So it was that she came to face Li Yelan with nothing but a determined frown.
Syaoran's mother was as blank and unreadable as usual but her eyes shone with undeniable mirth as she registered Sakura's sudden change in mood. After a few silent moments the older woman finally addressed her.
"Well Kinomoto Sakura, you have done… well over the past weeks in proving your worth as Mistress of your so-called Sakura Cards. We ask only that you indulge is on one final demonstration of your skills and then you are free to return home as you see fit."
Her voice was calm as she spoke but Sakura could sense the menace lacing her words.
"Of course." The words were a little colder and Sakura suddenly felt more at home. "If you fail to defeat your opponent, the Cards still return to our possession. Do you understand?"
Blood red eyes bored into Sakura's own with a sudden intensity and the Card Mistress was winded by the hunger she saw in them. Ignoring the negative auras pulsing all around her she took a steadying breath before replying clearly.
"Yes Li-sama."
"Good." The smile on Yelan's face made Sakura shiver. "Then shall we begin? Bring out the opponent."
The last she shouted to the room at large, her cold tone filling the empty space with a harsh ring. As always, Sakura turned her back on the unfriendly crowd with a small bow and moved towards the centre of the floor, watching with curious eyes as the doors opposite her began to open. The gap they made widened, revealing a silhouette in full Chinese battle costume. As it stepped forwards Sakura realised instantly it was a male, perhaps not much older than her. She waited calmly, one hand by the Cards, one by the key, for him to step into full light and reveal himself.
Her heart lurched.
"Hoe!"
Syaoran stepped fully into the Arena's light, still some feet from where Sakura stood, but he heard her gasp echo across the distance. He nodded his head towards her in response - eyes blank, devoid of any emotion - then turned without a second glance towards the onlookers.
"Li Xiao Lang." A male voice addressed him, one Sakura didn't recognise. "You agree to challenge this girl on behalf of the Li Clan to a battle of magics?"
"I do." His reply was sharp and immediate.
"And you agree to compete in fairness and honesty to the best of your ability."
"I do."
The words were cold, hard and foreign to Sakura's ears. Where was Syaoran, the boy who loved her and who fought beside her not against her? How could he be agreeing to this after one mistake, one tiny little mistake? And with his sister healthy as well! Sakura fought back tears as insanity crowded ever closer. She watched him bow towards the waiting Council and move to face her before an even colder voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Xiao Lang."
He turned his chestnut head back towards Yelan and silently met her heavy gaze.
"Do not undertake this lightly my son. We will not have you make a mockery of this Clan by lowering yourself to let this girl win. No matter what she is to you, you fight here for your family, remember that. Make your choice Xiao Lang."
There was silence, and for one glorious moment Sakura imagined him turning on his heel and whisking her away from the nightmare she was living. His amber eyes closed on a sigh, as he seemed to contemplate, face lowered to the floor. Finally, when Sakura's heart could take it no more, he looked up and replied clearly for all to hear.
"There can be no outside interference, agreed?" He spoke the words with a pointed look at Yelan's waiting face. Her eyes soured for just a moment, like a child caught being naughty, before she replaced the mask and nodded serenely.
"Of course."
"And when I win, the Cards become mine, correct?"
Again Yelan nodded.
He paused again.
"And if she wins, if she wins… she can leave with whoever or whatever she so wishes. Correct?"
Yelan's eyes flared and her voice rang threateningly.
"Xiao Lang don't think you can…"
"I don't." He cut in firmly, chin raised and voice hard. "I just want her to know what she's fighting for."
Sakura chocked on a sob as his cold words chilled her to the bone. Yelan however seemed placated.
"Very well. Agreed."
Syaoran nodded, his eyes never breaking his mother's heavy gaze.
"Then I accept."
"Wait!"
The word leapt from Sakura's mouth before she realised it, but once freed it spurred her into action. Her feet flew across the Arena towards Syaoran, Cards all but forgotten as her heart fought against the impossibility of her situation.
"I don't agree!" she cried nearing the stands, "I won't do this! I won't…"
With a frightened squeal Sakura skidded to a halt just inches from the tip of Syaoran's outstretched blade. She hadn't even seen him release the sword from it's key, but there it was very real and very dangerous holding her at a distance that could not be breached. With a stifled sob she looked up to meet his amber gaze. It was no longer dead and lifeless but flashing with emotion; one she couldn't read. His aura reached out and licked angrily at hers and Sakura was trapped between the cold gaze of the audience and the painful gaze of her love.
"We will do this Kinomoto-san." His voice was even and commanding
Sakura flinched as the words pounded into her like bullets. Questions flooded her tongue and into the tense silence fell a desperate "Why?"
"I for my family, and you… for your Cards."
'Because he loves you.'
The words pierced her numb mind, drowning out his cruel answer. It was a woman's voice, not unlike Yelan's, but softer, kinder more like Syaoran's… the Syaoran she knew. Her eyes flicked to the stands and immediately she found the soft brown gaze of Li Fanran. Those eyes seemed to warm her when all she could do was shake, and gave calm to her erratic thoughts. Feeling steadier Sakura looked back at Syaoran, meeting his eyes over the shining glint of his blade. It was then she put a name to the flashing in his eyes.
He loves me.
The words took shape and blossomed in her heart till she felt her fear dissolve into surety. It was as if she was filling with magic again, but this time it was his golden gaze that was filling her with determination. Careful to keep her face empty she turned to the waiting Li Clan, bowed and backed slowly away to regain her place in the centre of the room.
"Then it is agreed." Yelan's voice rang out clearly but Sakura barley heard. Instead she watched as Syaoran also bowed and took his place opposite her a few feet away. Daring to meet his gaze again she found a determination she knew she mirrored in her own; with something like excitement bubbling in her chest she prepared herself to fight. This had to be real or they'd both be persecuted.
"Ready. Fight!"
"Gods of Wind! Come forth!"
Syaoran was quick on the offensive forcing Sakura to call Shield and Jump as one to avoid the gales directed at her. It was only as she bounded atop a thick doorframe that she realised she hadn't called upon her own staff. Looking down she saw her hands glowing a gentle pink, casting small shadows on the wall behind her. With a grin she raised her right hand, focused her mind and called
"Wood!"
A great twisting branch erupted from the air in front of her and headed towards Syaoran's figure on the ground below. He was quick to notice however and had soon called his own flaming counter attack. As the fire reached for her Sakura pictured wings in her strangely clear mind and soon found herself hovering in the air, high above the bonfire Syaoran had created.
"Rain!"
Heavy droplets fell from nowhere to douse the licking flames threatening to catch her. She watched as a distracted Syaoran struggled to see, his thick hair matting quickly to his head and the water dripping adorably off of his nose. She paid for her moment of weakness however when a loud cracking sound announced Syaoran's next attack.
"Gods of Lightening! Obey my order!"
Electric energy crackled in the air below her, soon carried by the water surrounding them. Sakura watched in horror as it danced drop by drop closer until her wings were suddenly engulfed in pain. They disappeared immediately and then she was falling quickly towards the ground, watching the horror in Syaoran's face pleading with her to react. In an instant Windy appeared and settled her safely on the ground. But now she was disorientated, from the fall and the jolt of pain. Dazedly, Sakura rubbed at her eyes trying to find Syaoran in the still pouring rain. But he wasn't in front of her, which meant…
"Sword!"
She yelled loudly, spinning in a sharp coil and by the time she faced Syaoran's advance she held her transformed wand safely in her grip, blocking the downward slash he'd threatened with his own weappon. With a burst of strength she threw him of and for a few seconds they parried, she blocking his swipes with expert ease. Then suddenly they were face-to-face, noses almost touching as they struggled in an unbreakable stalemate, swords pressed tight.
She could hear his breathing, rough and heavy, and feel the air tickle her ear each time he exhaled. He could smell her cherry scent and marvelled at the glittering raindrops making diamonds on her fluttering lashes. He pressed back hard as she struggled to separate them, keeping the swords locked. Finally Syaoran caught her skittering eyes, almost chocking when she smiled brightly at him. With years of training he swallowed his gut reaction and instead fought to direct her gaze.
"Do you see it?" he huffed, forcing the words through his teeth at the effort of maintaining their stance going "Do you see what to do?" His head was tilted and he was glaring at the broad blade of his sword. Sakura finally tore herself away from the wild feel of his aura pressed so close to her own and followed his insistent gaze.
All she saw was herself reflected in the shining blade that threatened her.
Wait a minute…Flashing emerald orbs met Syaoran's own and he could have cheered as realisation painted Sakura's face pink. He almost smiled then, his eyes lighting up as he pressed her backwards one more time.
"Win." He whispered as he rushed past her ear and away, breaking the standoff and calling the battle to continue.
In a second the Sword disappeared and Sakura's mind was buzzing with a plan. All she needed was the time to execute it. In a flash she had her answer.
"Dark!"
The whole Arena was suddenly plunged into blackness and Sakura could see nothing not even herself. She could still feel the rain, hear it as it fell to the ground, and somewhere she could sense Syaoran's aura getting ever closer. She had only moments, so quickly clasped her hands in a brief clap, summoning the last of her strength.
"Mirror!"
A green speck of light stained the darkness in front of her before quickly growing into her own mirror image. Same costume, same flushed cheeks, just as wet and bedraggled as she was. Perfect. With a short smile at the Mirror girl, Sakura summoned her wings and took off towards the ceiling.
"Distract him." She hissed as her double disappeared into the inky black.
Once in the air, Sakura felt worryingly disorientated. Coming to a gentle hover she reached out to locate Syaoran. The steady increase in his energies meant she had only moments before he broke her darkness. Then she found him, exactly, and put herself as far away from his location as possible before she lost her cover.
"Gods of Light! Heed my call!"
The stifling darkness disappeared in a flash of brilliant white, taking the rain with it and leaving the Arena open to view. In the centre stood Syaoran facing off once more against the Card Mistress. His sword looped over his head in a swing to call on his next charm but before he could utter a word a cry came from above.
"Earthy!"
Hovering high near the swirling ceiling, Sakura called her final card from behind Syaoran's right shoulder. His chestnut head looked up at the cry and through the cascading rock fall flying from Sakura's outstretched hands, she saw him smile. Her heart clenched, praying for his safety, and then he was gone, buried by the heavy lumps of earth that fell all around him. Dust flew and blinded even Sakura who could do nothing but hover and wait to land. Out of the chaos a piercing cry froze Sakura's heart.
"Xiao Lang!"
The dust cleared slowly, settling thickly on seats and the onlookers. When she could see the ground Sakura descended carefully towards the pile of rubble in the centre of the Arena floor. Landing beside Mirror, her eyes remained glued on the spot where Syaoran had stood and only a flash of green light told her the card had returned of her own accord.
Earthy however had not. With a hesitant hand and nervous heart Sakura reached out towards the rocks. In a moment they had transformed into a female form who nodded solemnly to its Mistress before melting away into nothing. A mass of shining green material was all that was left on the dusty floor.
He wasn't moving. No thumbs up like Meiling. No smile to tell her it was all right. Nothing.
Sakura's heart was racing as she took a careful step forwards, then another, then another. Finally she stood by his side and looked down at the prone form, which had yet to react. Legs trembling, she moved to kneel closer to his chest.
"Stop!"
Yelan's voice was the usual harsh order but it trembled slightly at the end. For once Sakura was not affected by the older woman's authority and ignored the simple instruction, coming to rest on the ground beside Syaoran's silent form. With a shaking hand she reached out to lay it over his heart. Seconds later she drew it back as if scalded when his chest rose and fell softly beneath her palm. A relieved smile broke out across her pale and tired face even as a tear slipped slowly down her cheek. He was battered and bruised, unconscious for now, his head was scratched and his sword lay broken in two. But he was alive and that was all that mattered.
Exhaustion appeared from nowhere now the adrenaline was fading from her system and Sakura started as the image before her began to swim uncomfortably. Shaking her head she moved to stand but found her legs unresponsive. It seemed she'd used one too many Cards and now she was paying the price. After another failed attempt to stand she gave up, feeling darkness teasing her senses invitingly. Before she relished it however she had one last thing to do. Leaning down she pressed a gentle kiss to Syaoran's sleeping forehead. His skin was warm and Sakura's heart warmed with it.
"Arigatou Syaoran." She whispered for his ears only.
Then the world went black.
Game Over.
Or not... don't worry there's a conclusion on its way. One final chapter after this! So if you've enjoyed this one please let me know by dropping a REVIEW and I'll be back to you soon with a conclusion... good or bad... you'll have to read to find out!
Thanks for reading.
Ja x